San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-11-02
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1887.
AT THEIR WITS END.

The frequency with which light sem
tence county criminals escape from the
working gangs 10 which they are placed
In order to serve time, is attracting un.
favorable comment at home and abroad.
This condition OF affairs is not brought
about by lack OF carefulness on the part
of the county guards, but by = cOmbina-
tion Of circumstances arising from an
unequal statute and humane consider
alton for the county prisoners Cd the
part Of the judge Of the county court.
The facts are, that fine OF
any amount, to be worked out by
prisoner who cannot pay his
fine, entails upon that prisoner, at the
low rate fixed for his daily labor 10 the
convict gang, a real hardship as COM
pared with his more fortunate pal, who.
convicted Of the same crime, has the
money wherewith to pay that fine. The
well-heelei criminal pays his fine and
departs, and If he is lsbOrer who has
been on spree or got into fight, or is
some petty thief or gambler, he is able
to earn the amount of his fine at the
rate OF from one to two dollars a day.
The poor devil who has no money is
compelled to work out his fine at the
pittance OF twenty FIVE cents day, an d
the manifest Injustice Of the act is so
apparent that he sulks and refuses to
work, or seizes the first opportunity pre-
sented for an escape.
The bread and water diet does not sp-
pear to have any effect upon refractory
prisoners, who declare themselves ready
to subsist upon that for the time Of SEN
tence, rather than work at twenty-five
cents day. The county court does not
confine these convicts with ball and
chain while at work, as that is consid-
cred too great q hardship; the convict
guards are properly debarred from shoot
Ing at an escaping prisoner, and
SO these escapes multiply from week to
week. The penalties imposed are dis
regarded and have no lettering effect
In preventing crime, the convicts say
Ing that all they have to do is to be put
upon The road gang and they will
escape. These escapes entail no little
annoyance upon our city police, who are
frequently called upon to asst in their
capture and feel morally bound to com.
ply, though not legally, and vt great
Inconvenience to themselves and detri-
riment to their regular work as peace
officers of this city.
The inequality Of the punishments
meted out to prisoners without money
and those who have money shOu d come
to an end. This first. Prisoners suffer
ing the penalties imposed for an infraC-
ton OF law should not be compelled to
pass sentence upon the law, as unjust.
which metes out punishment, and this is
certainly the effect OF this present stat
ute. Remedy that, and then compel an
obedience to the law. The prisoner who
will not work without ball and chain
should be put at work with one no mat
ter how little actual work he NAV &C.
complish. The real thing sought is not
the amount Of work the convict will per-
form, but the wholesome incubation OF
q respect and obedience for the law.
Pay the prisoner at work fair rate for
his work, deducting the cost of his
maintainance and the services Of his
guard, then compel him to work out
that fine. 1t is not the province
OF this article TO suggest the means by
which this is to be accomplished. The
discretionary power 10 the hands Of the
court will be able to provide some sys-
TEN OF confinement, some discomfort
without cruelty, which will sooner or
later compel the obedience of refractory
conviots. There Is secret understand
ing between all these criminals and the
successful resistance Of work by one
soon determines others to resist also.
Let the impression be made strong and
positive that the sentences of the courts
will be enforced to the letter, that those
who resist them only treasure up for
themselves greater discomfort and pun
lshment, that a cheerful compliance
with the demands Of law and 4 willing
acceptance OF the punishment imposed